Imagine a spreadsheet with a max. of 31 rows and 10 columns. a row could have upto nine cells in the row with the same background color, but doesn't have any colored cells. A column could have anywhere between zero and thirty-one cells colored. Is it possible to select and then sum the total of the selected cells content, if so, how ?

I'm not sure I understand the question, but setting cell background or font colors doesn't change the way their sum is calculated. If you select a given range, the respective sum is already displayed on the table toolbar automatically.Otherwise entering any of the summing formula will do. To obtain both the total and partial sums of columns and rows you can e.g. select the range (plus one empty row below and empty column to the left) and use the "Sigma > Insert Sum" toolbar button command.

If you mean a summing function that could filter/access cell background/font, it' s not possible. You need to write a script that will perform such searching and summing.

If you mean adding references to the edited cell, you can simply click desirable cells when editing that summing formula.If your question concerns locating some formatting attributes within a large area, you can also use the "Format > Style Palette > Find" command.